Bill > SB185

This bill declares a state of financial exigency at Kentucky State University (KSU), a four-year residential polytechnic institution and Kentucky's only Historically Black College or University (HBCU), for five years or until its finances are declared stable, during which time KSU must obtain approval from the Council on Postsecondary Education for any expenditure of $20,000 or more, provide monthly financial reports to the council, and not incur a budget deficit. The bill also mandates that KSU limit its academic areas of study to no more than ten, excluding certain programs, and allows the university president to terminate employees, including tenured ones, with 30 days' notice to support an enrollment target of at least 1,000 in-person students and maintain essential programs, while also requiring KSU to collect debts and allowing the Department of Revenue to intercept tax refunds to satisfy outstanding balances over $1,000. Furthermore, the bill establishes new admission standards for undergraduate applicants, requiring a minimum GPA and ACT score or equivalent, and prohibits admission or readmission for students with outstanding balances over $1,000 that are more than 60 days past due, with specific provisions for debt collection and reporting to state officials.